[> Subject:  Info: Aquarian Associates, Inc.
|
Author:
Luvely
[Edit]
|
Date Posted: 11:56:50 03/08/04 Mon
Great American Model and Talent Search (Aquarian Associates, Inc.)
March 8, 2003
Hi,
Like many other concerned parents on your background check, I was quite
suspicious with our meeting today in Indianapolis with Aquarian Associates.
After reading the posting from P.H., I am convinced to not enroll my child
with them and spend several hundred dollars.
I noticed these listings are from Oct. 2003, and I am curious if there are
other more recent "victims" of Aquarian Associates.
My husband and I attended the "call-back meeting"
today in Indianapolis, and found it quite fishy that they didn't mention the
$485 required until the last 10 minutes of the presentation. In addition, I
have found that any company giving you 24 hours to make a decision is
usually fishy as well.
Lastly, the company "flew in" a mother from North
Carolina to talk about the wonderful "resume" her 8 year old son has thanks
to Aquarian Associates. She spoke for approximately 30 seconds and seemed
quite rehearsed.
I am THRILLED to have read the things I have read tonight
before falling victim to this agency and losing so much money. If you have
any additional information or complaints, I would love to hear about them.
Thank you for posting so much information --and especially to P.H., who has
confirmed my suspicions!
Please respond at your convenience if you have any
additional writers writing in about Aquarian Associates.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
J.B.
October 1, 2003
I'm interested in finding out info on this company, they have three different names -- Aquarian Associates, Model Management, and the Great American Model and Talent Search.
I took my one-year-old and two-year-old to the "open call." They got three seconds in front of a video camera and were then told we'd get a letter in the mail if the kids were "marketable."
A couple of weeks later, we got the letter that our one-year-old had a "favorable evaluation," and to attend a parents' meeting on October 1st.
I went to the meeting and they described their philosophy, etc..., all the while emphasizing that they are not "agents."
They then want us to fork over a registration fee of $450 for a three-day talent search where casting directors, producers, etc., will all see the children.
$450 covers the price of pictures, too; however, they are "client use only" pictures. (Clients being the casting directors, not me or my children.)
This seems very fishy to me. Also, I have to decide by tomorrow if I want to do it. The official talent search is the weekend of November 21-23. I think that they'd be able to let us think about it for a while.
Please let me know if you have any dirt on these people because I also have two friends whose children were given the favorable evaluation, too.
I hope that we don't make a big mistake (I'm leaning toward not participating but they aren't.).
---
October 1, 2003
My son just received a letter for a meeting with Aquarian Associates Inc. / Great American Model & Talent Search, and I would like to check on how legitimate this company is.
Thank you,
---
October 1, 2003
Please send any information you have.
Thank you,
---
October 1, 2003
Please send information on Aquarian Associates : The Great American Model & Talent Search.
Thank You,
---
September 29, 2003
Please send info on the Great American Model & Talent Search through Aquarian Associates (Sam Manfredi, president) out of Pittsburgh, PA.
---
September 28, 2003
I am trying to research this company. My daughter had a favorable evaluation at one of their castings and we have been asked to attend an upcoming meeting. I appreciate any info you may have regarding this company.
Thank you,
A concerned parent
---
September 26, 2003
Can you tell me if this company and function is legit?
Great American Model & Talent Search
Thanks,
J.
---
September 24, 2003
Wondering if this company is a scam. We went to an open casting call which was free and involved a brief (30 sec) interview on camera. We received a letter in the mail letting us know that our child had a favorable evaluation and parents need to attend a meeting at a hotel. The letter also states not to call the hotel for information nor will information be given on the phone if we are unable to attend.
Parent
---
September 24, 2003
My wife and I just recently attended an "open call" with "Aquarian Associate" and they wanted $459.00 to attend their "Great American Model and Talent Search" plus $45.00 per person to attend.
I have read that if any company that charges money is a scam. Can you give me any feed back on this company or the talent search?
The man that runs the talent search was at the presentation but got annoyed with my question and brushed me off. So I didn't get a good feeling about the company and how legit they are.
I am interested in getting my child into modeling, though, and would not like to pass up an opportunity for that.
Parent
---
September 21, 2003
I did not see Aquarian Associates from Pittsburg, PA, on your list for background information. There company is also listed on line as the Great American Model & Talent Search. Please let me know if you have any information about them.
Thank you,
---------------
Archive (2002)
I was hoping that maybe you had heard of Aquarian Associates, Inc., also known as the Great American Model and Talent Search.
We already paid $440 to attend a convention in Los Angeles, California, at the Sheridan Hotel. It will cost us another $800-900 to fly us out there and pay hotel expenses.
What advice or info could you give me?
Thanks so much,
H.G.
---
The mailing address is:
GREAT AMERICAN MODEL & TALENT SEARCH
394 Rodi Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
The website address is:
http://www.aquarianassociates.com/
The BBB record said:
Information supplied by the company indicates they advertise a modeling & talent search called an open call. At the open call there is a brief interview and an on camera evaluation. Those of school age, or older are also provided a script to read. Infants and small children are just filmed.
Participants in the Open Call who are deemed by industry professionals as having potential are sent an acknowledgment letter inviting them back for a meeting reviewing the company's offer to participate in their annual Event held in Los Angeles, California, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Participants are divided into age group and display their talents to what the company calls industry professionals. To participate in the Event consumers are required to pay a non-refundable registration fee. All expenses to and from the Event are at the participant's expense.
Consumers are advised that Aquarian Associates and Great American Model & Talent Search do not offer employment nor do they provide representation or agent services.
Although the BBB said: "This company has a satisfactory record with the Bureau," it may not have a satisfactory success rate, and it probably does not have a satisfactory screening process.
Their website said:
The Great American Model & Talent Search is a division of AQUARIAN ASSOCIATES, INC. The company was founded in 1969 and the search was established in 1986. We have provided men, women, teens and children exposure to talent agents, casting directors, producers, personal managers, photographers and clients resulting in numerous opportunities in the model and talent industry.
Numerous opportunities? What about successes? Why don't they tell you their success rate? Opportunities is not the issue; the issue is successes. Is it just me or does that not sound vague and flaky?
There was no disclaimer, either in the BBB record (like MSA and NYC Fame), or on their website, saying their success rate. The website itself only showed about 10 pictures, none of which are named, none of which are claimed as successes. They look like stock photos. They are not tear sheets. This is all very unconvincing.
You should know the success rates of modeling conventions are typically very low. Which is most likely why the organizers do not tell you. The failure rate is probably 90% at most conventions. For this reason, they obviously need outside help. Professional help.
The BBB record said they have "industry professionals" who think certain people have potential. But if their success rate is as low as other conventions (and there is no reason to believe it is any better, since they don't tell you it is higher), these "industry professionals" are incompetent.
Find out if Great American Model and Talent Search screens prospective models using qualified and competent industry professionals, i.e. the agents who are going to attend the convention. The pictures should be sent to the agents for review and screening before you pay. Then you attend the convention based on unbiased opinion.
You could ask for cold hard data with regards to success rates. The questions are very simple. Ask them how many people attended their last convention. Ask them how many people who attended the last convention were signed with a reputable agency. Then ask for names (model/agency).
If they had a low success rate, or if they don't give you a straight answer, or if they don't have that information, you will be better able to figure out whether or not you should cut your losses ($440), instead of paying more ($800-900), and risking losing about $1,500.
Please note you don't need a search or a convention to get discovered. You can visit local agencies free, or send pictures to reputable agencies.
---
I am interested in learning anything you know about Aquarian Associates.
We recently attended an open call and were "selected" to attend a convention. My daughter is two years old.
The cost is approx. $400, and we would incur very little travel costs, because the convention is not far from where we live, and we have friends in the area with whom we can stay.
I have been reading about the conventions on your website, and I am now feeling that this is all a scam. As far as I can tell there are no additional costs for photographs, video, or classes.
I understand the chances of being picked up for a print ad or something similar not only at this convention, but anywhere, are very slim. So am I crazy to still attend? Are they really that bad? Or should I just get some pictures of my daughter and start sending them to different agencies?
Thanks for your help,
P.B.
---
P.,
There was an inquiry about the Great American Model and Talent Search earlier today.
To add to that, you should know the odds are against you, not just because it is a convention or because there is limited work available for most models, but also because there is very little work for two-year-old children.
Quite frankly it is suspicious that your daughter or anyone at two years of age was "selected" to pay for a convention, but if they are chosen, why isn't it at a reduced price? Why does she have to pay the same price as an adult?
Did the Great American Model and Talent Search not explain the low demand for child modeling and child models?
You could visit local agencies, or at least focus on the local agencies. It is highly unlikely that an agency is going to fly in a two-year-old child model for modeling work. It is much more likely they will go with a child who is near; it is more convenient for them and the parents.
If the agents are only going to be serious about local child models, it makes no sense to go to a convention. You can find the agencies in the phone book, hold onto your $440, and visit them for FREE.
Therefore you would not have to send pictures anywhere. At that age, the family portrait style picture should be enough. Their look changes fairly quickly. You don't need special professional pictures taken. See if you can find any local and reputable child modeling agencies.
---
Thank you for your prompt response.
I called a local agency and have an appointment today and am saving my $400.
Thanks again,
P.B.
---
I would like to share my experience with the Aquarian Associates Great American Model and Talent Search.
We live in the Pittsburgh area, and first learned of the open casting call on a radio advertisement for the Aquarian Associates Great American Model and Talent Search.
We took our four-year-old son to the event which was held at a local hotel where they first had the children approach a panel of so-called industry professionals.
The children were introduced and asked some basic questions along with some small talk.
Next, they were instructed to walk across the room for a brief video filming where the photographer asked them their name, favorite food, friends, etc.
The first "hook" was cast when one of the industry professionals told me that my son was amazing, and how would we feel about a trip to Hollywood?
The second hook came while we were in the lobby getting our coats on when one of the Aquarian Associates staff (who we later found out was the president's wife) informed us that the woman who made the fuss over our son was a casting director for the Power Rangers TV show, and very seldom gives out compliments.
Well, after that I was star struck! Hell, at that point they probably could have taken me for three times the amount we eventually paid!
There was even an embarrassing scene where two parents and their children were asked to leave due to the children misbehaving. The president of Aquarian Associates became very loud as if he wanted everyone to see and hear him. It was almost like he was acting.
Looking back, my husband now feels that the whole thing could have been staged to give the other parents a feeling of confidence knowing that their children were model citizens, very cooperative and well behaved.
As anyone would have guessed, we received our letter a few days later informing us that our son received a favorable review, and an invitation to the parents' meeting.
The meeting was held at their Pittsburgh office where the red carpet was rolled out with all the visual effects (movie posters, advertisements, etc). It was a small group with about 15 parents.
We first watched a video highlight film from the previous search along with commercials containing children. Seeing only 15 parents made you feel good. You felt that your child was special, since they saw so many at the open call, and only invited a small amount back.
The president then spoke where he kept re-emphasizing that Aquarian Associates was not an agency. They even had signs posted everywhere stating "not an agency."
We were told that the biggest obstacle in an acting or modeling career is exposure, and his company can put you in front of top industry professionals at a fraction of the cost if you were to set out on your own. He said that you don't have to live in NYC or CA to be successful.
The casting directors also understand that parents have obligations to work, and children have an obligation to school, resulting in most commercials being shot during long-weekend-type arrangements.
He went through all this and still hadn't mentioned money.
Finally, at the end of it all he stated that for only $435 "All this can be yours! Don't miss out on your opportunity. Attend the Pittsburgh search."
It was kind of an "act now" type thing: they only gave you one day to make up your mind.
Oh, and how could I forget? They charge $45 each for tickets (child goes free), cash only, which can be paid the day of the search.
My husband and I left and hung out in the parking lot for a while pondering the situation when all of a sudden here comes the next wave of cars for the next meeting!
It seems that they had many small meetings. They wanted you to think that your child was so special. They didn't tell you that there were other groups coming in. All of a sudden I became a little disappointed. We should have left and never returned.
We decided to pay the money, attend the search with about 188 children from all over the east coast. It was quite an event.
They introduced about 30 scouts/casting directors from prominent modeling and talent agencies. It all seemed so legit. We were told that anyone who had conversation with the scouts and agents would be automatically disqualified.
They had the children do a runway presentation, a photo shoot (at which they'll sell you an 8X10 B/W, for another $45), and a small commercial read which they say was videotaped.
At the end of it all, acknowledgments were given for each category along with opportunities.
My son received acknowledgments in each category along with an opportunity. Then they announced the names of only six children out of 188 to remain after the search to speak to the Aquarian staff.
Well, as luck would have it, my son was one of the six. We were in shock! We were told that a major agency in California was interested, and at this time only wanted to know where we lived.
I thought: "Isn't that strange? Whatever happened to the crap he told us about it not mattering where you live? And furthermore, why in the hell would an agent from California attend this search in Pittsburgh, and then ask where we're from? Not our address, only where we're from?"
This event is also held in California, so you would think they would know that the Pittsburgh search covers the east.
About a month after the search, I hadn't heard anything, so I called the agency in California, and asked to speak to the person who liked my son at the Pittsburgh search.
Well, as you would have guessed, I never reached her; even though I left three messages, she never returned my calls.
In August, we finally received our opportunity letter. What could it be? The Power Ranger Lady? The Hollywood casting director?
We were so excited until we opened the letter and found it to be a local TV commercial for a country club. It was printed on a cheap run-off paper from Aquarian Associates.
It turned out to be an outdoor swimming pool shot with about 50 kids from the search. The kids sat around the pool where a low budget film crew shot about 15 seconds!
What a joke! The event was supervised by the president of Aquarian Associates, who put on a phony show as if he were some Hollywood casting director.
We were paid $40 in a check made out by Aquarian Associates, which seems odd, since they claim not to be an agency.
In closing, I feel that I've learned a valuable lesson. This outfit was very clever in how they presented themselves. We were definitely misled, duped, and outsmarted by this jerk.
The opportunities were just as phony. It's like telling someone that you're giving them a Corvette for their birthday, and then hand them a match box model.
P.H.
---
Your information saved me a lot of time and money and from my child being very dissapointed.
Now that I know that we would have to pay hundreds of dollars to receive probably nothing in the end, we will not be attending the so-called meeting with Aquarian and Associates on Tuesday, January 28, 2002 in Birmingham, AL.
I hope others do not waste their time as well.
R.S.
-----------------------------------
Child Modeling: A Primer (Must Reading for Parents)
http://www.modelforum.com/wwwboard/messages/18782.html
[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
|
|
aquarian associates
Its a joke?
Serious
aquarian associates